MAKING A PLEDGE
How can I participate? Can I pledge over time?
Our campaign offers a wide range of gift opportunities at all levels. You may choose a plan that provides you with both flexibility and time to complete the payment of your pledge. Because our needs are urgent, we encourage donors to complete their pledges within three years.
Is my pledge legally binding? Will it be confidential?
No, a pledge is a faith commitment, one you consider to be meaningful to you. All we ask is that you do your best and advise us of any financial changes that may impact your pledge or pledge payments. All pledges will be kept confidential. Only the people responsible for maintaining and reporting campaign records will have access to the information you provide.
How were pledge amounts determined?
“Requested Amounts” are based on past giving histories. We ask that you consider a campaign gift “above and beyond” your normal annual support.
Who will be asked to support the Legacy of Faith campaign?
Everyone will be invited to participate:
· Each school family will be asked to consider a gift to the campaign.
· Each parish family will be asked to consider a gift to the campaign.
· Each Early Childhood Center family will be asked to consider a gift to the campaign.
· Friends of St. Rose will be invited to support our campaign.
How will the Legacy of Faith campaign affect our weekly Sunday offertory?
Weekly giving is expected to remain constant. Parishioners are not asked to diminish weekly giving, as our parish needs remain constant. Rather, we are asking members of the St. Rose community to consider a commitment above their normal support. In the long term, similar campaigns have actually caused increases in weekly giving by raising the sights of current donors and their commitments to the parish and by involving people who have not given previously.
Why emphasize personal visits?
Personal, face-to-face contact remains the single, best way to ask for support. A personal visit:
- Emphasizes the personal nature of giving;
- Allows for a thorough presentation of the campaign case;
- Gives potential donors the opportunity ask questions; and
- Allows volunteers to express their own enthusiasm.
Why emphasize pledges?
Pledges allow donors to consider giving more than is possible through “one-time” gifts. This is important in a campaign of this magnitude.
Are pledges of cash the only kind of gifts?
While cash is the gift most often made to campaigns, other types, such as gifts of stock, property, trusts and life insurance are also options
Are there matching gift opportunities?
Yes. Many employers will match funds donated by their employees.
Companies have specific procedures that must be followed by employees requesting matching gifts. Please contact your employer’s Corporate Giving Office, or follow the instructions provided on your employer’s website.
Can trust and estate gifts be made to the campaign?
Most certainly. Because the goals of the campaign require immediate funding, gifts of cash and securities are generally desired. However, if a donor offers a planned gift, e.g., a gift of property, a bequest, an IRA or insurance policy, he or she should be thanked and referred to the St. Rose of Lima Development Office to discuss the options available in making such a gift.
Are campaign gifts tax deductible?
St. Rose of Lima is a qualified 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization entitled to exemption from federal income tax by the Internal Revenue Service under the Internal Revenue Code for Catholic organizations listed in the Official Catholic Directory.
Gifts to the campaign are tax deductible as allowed by current federal tax guidelines. The applications of such laws vary with individual circumstances. A donor with specific questions regarding tax deductibility should contact his/her tax attorney or advisor.
Can I change my pledge payment time frame?
Yes. All we ask is that you notify the Development Office of any changes.
CAMPAIGN GOALS
Why are we doing a campaign now?
Our St. Rose facilities have served us well for many decades. Ongoing maintenance, as well as the need for meeting new parish, school, and ECC requirements prompted us to perform a feasibility study to understand what is important to members of the St. Rose community. The results of our study informed us that over 70% of our St. Rose community supported a capital campaign, and allowed us to prioritize our needs, including those below:
Early Childhood Center
- Our Early Childhood Center (ECC) has been at full capacity for several years. This facility remains financially strong. The ECC has held an ongoing waiting list of over 200 parents who are seeking the nurturing care that the ECC facility provides. To ensure that we meet parishioners’ needs for child care, our ECC facility will be expanded to accommodate an additional 50 children.
Parking
- Parking has been a longstanding issue, with our gravel overflow lot often plagued by dust and mud. We will be able to provide a new asphalt surface to this lot, with reorganization of parking spaces that will double the number of parking spaces.
Covered Walkways providing protection from the elements
- Covered walkways will be built to provide protective access to other buildings on campus, including the East and West Hall, Fellowship Center, and Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms. New walkways will establish a unified and attractive “front entrance” area for parishioners and guests. A covered drop-off for parishioners will be located near the front of the church, enabling easy access for our elderly or handicapped parishioners.
New Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms
- The current Pre-K and Kindergarten facilities are housed in buildings that require frequent short-term repairs. Building new space for our Pre-K and Kindergarten students will eliminate costly repairs and provide appropriate, more functional space for our young students. Our new Pre-K and Kindergarten wing will provide four new classrooms, and allow for re-purposing our existing Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms.
New Parish Hall
- Our parish has lacked a community space for functions like wedding receptions, funeral luncheons and parish meeting space. Positioned just south of the church will be a new parish hall with covered walkway access. This facility will seat 150-200 people and can accommodate special functions, including Altar Guild events, youth activities, and other parish events that can foster a greater sense of community among our school and parish families.
What are the campaign goals?
Our goal is to exceed $3.7 million in funds received, and we have defined three goal levels for achieving this amount:
Celebration Goal: $2.5 million
Includes ECC expansion, covered walk areas, new Pre-K and Kindergarten facility, upgraded parking.
Challenge Goal: $3.7 million
New parish Hall
Miracle Goal: Unlimited
Establish an Educational Facility Endowment to provide seed money for a future elementary and middle school/religious education facility.
What happens if we do not reach our goal?
Our expectation is, of course, to meet or surpass the goal. This is a faith commitment. Not meeting the goal means that consideration would have to be given to phasing (extending) the project or seeking alternative financial solutions.
CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE
When will construction begin?
The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston asks that we have 50% of our required funds collected before we break ground. If all contributors work towards an initial gift of 10-20% of their three-year commitment amount, we will be able to move quickly in determining this date. We are hopeful that if we receive commitments during our fundraising phase, we could break ground in early 2011.
In what order will construction take place?
Our Celebration phase will enable us to build our first phase of construction, which will include expansion of the Early Childhood Center, increasing capacity by 50%. Additionally, the Pre-K and Kindergarten classes will be expanded to include four new classrooms, with the existing classrooms being repurposed. We will also be able to build new covered walkways throughout the campus, and improve our parking surface on the lot near the corner of Brinkman and Wakefield.
Meeting our Challenge goal of $1.2 million will enable us to build our new parish hall that will seat 150-200 people.
Will construction “stop” between the Celebration phase and the Challenge phase?
Our goal will be to continue construction once it has started. There will be efficiencies we can gain by continuing our construction once we begin. Depending upon the responses we receive for financial commitment, and the timeframe we can anticipate receiving your financial support, we can determine the optimum way to apply your support for this initiative.
Will our current facilities accommodate middle school grades?
Yes. Our current school facilities are large enough to accommodate 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, while continuing to meet the needs of our elementary age children.
Over the past two summers, St. Rose has been privileged to host the DECATS program for exceptionally gifted and talented students across the diocese. During this same period of time, we also host the Summer Safari day camp program, and have provided outstanding care and instruction to over 400 students during these months. These student numbers are significantly higher than our student numbers during the school year. We feel confident that we can comfortably provide for the educational needs of all our students.
